Solving Word Percent Problems

In mathematics, a percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100. It is often denoted using the percent sign, "%", or the abbreviation "pct". Percentages are used to express how large/small one quantity is, relative to another quantity. The first quantity usually represents a part of, or a change in, the second quantity, which should be greater than zero. Source: Wikipedia.
Solving Word Percent Problems

Solving percent problems - Example

Example 1: What percent of 30 is 60?

Solution:

30 × `x/100` = 60

30x = 6000

x = 200

Therefore 60 is 200 percent of 30.

Example 2: What is 45% of 250?

Solution:

`45/100`  × 250 = x

45 × 250 = 100x

x = `11250/100` = 112.5

Therefore 45 percent of 250 is 112.5.

Example 3:  25% of what is 15?

Solution:

`25/100` × (x) = 15

25x = 1500

x = 60

Therefore 25 percent of 60 is 15.

Example 4: What is the percentage increase from 14 to 24?

Solution:

Increase = 24 - 14 = 10

Percentage increase = (Change in value / Original value) × 100%

Percentage increase = `10/14` ×100% = 71.42%

Therefore 71.42% increase from 14 to 24.

Example 5: Last month, Anita earned $300. This month she earned $450. Calculate the percentage increase in her earnings.

Solution:

Increase = $450 - $300 = $150

Percentage increase = (Change in value / Original value) × 100%

Percentage increase = `150/300` × 100% = 50%

Therefore percentage increase in her earnings is 50%.

Example 6: What is the percentage decrease from 30 to 14?

Solution:

Decrease = 30 – 14 = 16

Percentage decrease = (Change in value / Original value) × 100%

Percentage decrease = `16/30` × 100% = 53.33%

Therefore 53.33% decrease from 30 to 14.

Example 7: Last month, Anita earned $400. This month she earned $340. Calculate the percentage decrease in her earnings.

Solution:

Decrease = $400 - $340 = $60

Percentage decrease = Change in value / Original value × 100%

Percentage decrease = `60/400` × 100% = 15%

The percentage decrease in her earnings is 15%.
Solving Word Percent Problems

Solving percent problems - Practice

Problem 1: What is 28% of 150?

Problem 2: Harry earned $270 in last month. He earned $370 this month. Calculate the percentage increase in his earnings.

Problem 3: Wilson earned $340 in last month. He earned $250 in this month. Calculate the percentage decrease in his earnings.

Answer: 1) 42 2) 37.03 3) 26.47